Photo credit: familymwr (Flickr)
When you’re in a field that constantly requires you to get leases signed on a regular basis, the pressure can add up. When everyday looks like an uphill climb, the stresses of your everyday work can seem daunting and discouraging.
Hang in there! We wrote a rental broker survivor guide to help you be successful with your job. Here are 6 simple tips to help you with your job as a rental broker:
Tip #1: Educate yourself.
The rental industry and marketing strategies are always evolving. In one moment, you could be closing rentals left and right, but months later, you could experience a dry spell.
To keep up with the industry and the best marketing strategies, you need to keep educating yourself. Read the latest news in your local rental community so that you’re aware of what’s happening. Stay on top of marketing trends by reading books, blogs, and other marketing materials such as whitepapers. Your ongoing education in both rentals and marketing will help you become more successful thank your competitors.
Want rental marketing guides? We have free guides on the RentJuice Marketing Resources page.
Tip #2: Manage your reputation.
The rug can be pulled from under you if your reputation goes under. When you don’t know what your reputation in rentals are, all of your efforts in the field could yield disappointing results. It’s as if you’re inserting money into a vending machine, and you only find out later that the machine is broken.
To prevent your reputation from hurting your business, you need to constantly have one eye on it. While this may seem like a nuisance, it’s necessary. Once you’ve established a positive reputation and continue to maintain it, your efforts in rentals will have a bigger and better impact.
Get our free guide, “How to Manage Your Online Rental Reputation” to learn more about reputation management in rentals.
Tip #3: Document everything.
Nobody likes going to court. However, if you have to appear, you want to win your case. If you’re completely unprepared to go to court, you may have set yourself up for failure.
When you get into rentals, keep a record of everything. Yes, everything. Keep paperwork and any communication you have with the prospective tenant. The last thing you want to do is appear in court without any tangible evidence.
Tip #4: Manage your time.
Figure out where all of your time is going. If you’re spending too much time in front of your computer and less time talking to renters and out showing apartments, your time may be unbalanced. When you learn where you’re spending most of your time, see where you could save time.
For example, if you find yourself spending at least 10 minutes sifting through paper documents per applicant, you could be wasting up to an hour on 6 applicants. You could have spent that time talking to a tenant or hosting an open house. Learn how you can incorporate technology to speed up and simplify your workload. That way, you have more time to do more productive tasks.
Tip #5 Be professional.
No matter how personable you are, you’re still a rental professional. You’re part of a business and manage customers. Therefore, you need to maintain that relationship by staying professional in all circumstances.
This means, when you’re upset, you don’t blow up. When a person has a concern, you calmly address it and help to the best of your ability. When you maintain your professionalism, renters are more likely to treat you as one.
Tip #6: Be confident.
Nobody wants to put the decision of their future home in the hands of someone who kind-of knows what they’re doing. Prospective renters want to work with someone who knows what they’re doing. They’re paying you because you’re the professional (unless you fail to act as one, see tip #5). The best way to exert confidence to renters is to be knowledgeable in your field.
When showing properties, do your research. Know about the neighborhood, landlord, and property. If you’re well-researched, renters will trust you with helping them make a decision.
